He also implored rappers to recognise the influence they have over fans and asked them to raise the level of their discourse.

"I love you, but I am not satisfied that you are doing all that you can," he said, during "probably the most important speech I ever made in my life, because you are the most important people I've ever talked to in my life."

But Farrakhan also said that rap's violent imagery mirrored American culture, adding: "The youth has manifested the wickedness of their parents, their teachers, the judges, the politicians.

Smith: Rap has "important message"

"What society wants to do with the young people
is to break the mirror rather than take a look at it and clean itself up."